Stone Coated Steel Roof Washing | Why and How
Stone coated steel roof cleaning is extremely necessary, and here in Kansas City we see these all over! These roofs are gaining in popularity as homeowners become more aware of the many benefits they offer. Not only are they durable and long-lasting, but they look great and can be customized to fit any home’s build and style. However, like any other roof, stone coated steel roofs require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to perform at their best. One of the most important aspects of maintaining a stone coated steel roof is keeping it clean.
Preventing Damage on Roof
One of the biggest reasons to clean your stone coated steel roof is to prevent damage. Over time, dirt, debris, algae, lichen, and other materials can accumulate on the surface of your roof. If left unchecked, this buildup can trap moisture, which can lead to rust, corrosion, and other types of damage. By cleaning your roof, you can remove these materials and prevent them from causing long-term harm to your roof.
Improving Energy Efficiency
Another reason to clean your stone coated steel roof is to improve energy efficiency. When your roof is covered in dirt and debris, it can’t reflect as much sunlight. As a result, your home can become warmer, which can lead to increased energy usage and higher utility bills. By keeping your roof clean, you can help it reflect more sunlight, which can help keep your home cooler and reduce your energy usage.
Maintaining Home’s Aesthetics
Stone coated steel roofs are known for their beauty and style. However, if your roof is covered in dirt and debris, it can detract from its overall appearance. Regular cleaning can help keep your roof looking its best, which can increase your home’s curb appeal and resale value.
Extending Lifespan of Roof
Finally, cleaning your stone coated steel roof can help extend its lifespan. By removing algae, lichen, and other materials, you can prevent damage and ensure that your roof continues to perform as it should. Over time, this can help your roof last longer, which can save you money on repairs and replacements.
Voiding Warranty of Stone Coated Steel Roof
All of these are great reasons for roof washing. None though are as important as the warranty from the roofing company. DECRA is one of the leading manufacturers for stone coated steel roofs, and their policy on warranties specifically states that any discoloration, damage, or problems that occur from algae, bacteria, or lichen can/will void warranty. The long term lifespan of these roofs are the most attractive part of them! You do not want to void this warranty.
How to Clean Roof
Okay….now that you know why this is a problem. How do you solve it? Removing black streaks from your roof, or removing algae and moss from your roof is very important. Stone coated steel roof cleaning is a little bit more difficult than your typical roof washing. We have extensive experience in cleaning these types of roofs, and you have to be careful. DECRA’s website suggests you use a non corrosive chemical such as spray and forget, or wet and forget. In our opinion and experience, these products do not get the job done fully. The best way to clean these types of roofs are with a low % mixture of a sodium hypochlorite/water/soap blend. After speaking with a DECRA roof rep, I found out that sodium hypochlorite (main ingredient in bleach) is actually the most effective way to clean, but they stopped suggesting this because people were not doing this correctly. Stone coated steel roofs are steel underneath, so you cannot let this solution dwell too long on your roof, you will need to rinse, rinse, rinse, and rinse some more. We have found that even after the moss, lichen, or algae is killed, it still requires a heavy rinse.
How NOT to wash
Do not use a pressure washer
Do not brush the moss or lichen off (this will remove stone coating)
Do not spray SH and leave it up there.
Do test spots
Do rinse heavily.
If done correctly, roof cleaning for stone coated steel can turn out great. Take your time and search for a local roof cleaning company. This is a big job, and most often requires being on the roof to achieve the best results. From our experience being on the roof for the roof washing allows a more thorough rinse.
If you are looking for a local roof cleaning company, Edwards Gutter Cleaning has you covered!
